The 93rd London Antique Arms Fair

The 93rd
London Antique­
Arms Fair
Autumn 2014
Hotel Ibis London Earls Court,
47 Lillie Road, London, SW6 1UD
Friday 26 September
Saturday 27 September
A fine German Comb Morion with etched and gilt
decoration, late 16th century. Sold for £6,800 as part
of the Dr. Ernst-Joachim Rogahn Collection that sold
for a total of £201,000 by Bonhams Knightsbridge
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THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
HERMANN HISTORICA
uPCOMING AuCTION:
Antique Arms
And Armour
Wednesday 26 November 2014
Knightsbridge, London
An extremely rAre
GermAn ‘lAndsknecht’
BroAdsword (kAtzBAlGer)
first hAlf of the
16th century
£8,000 - 10,000
enquiries
+44 (0) 20 7393 3807
[email protected]
3 - 8 November 2014
Antiquities
Antique Arms
& Armour
Fine Antique &
Modern Firearms
International Auctions
Antique Arms and Armour ✦ Orders ✦ Historical Collectibles
Orders & Military
Collectibles
2
All catalogues online by
beginning of October:
www.hermann-historica.com
An etched cuirass with the Medici coat of arms, Pisa, circa 1590
A parade shield for the trabant guard serving
under W.D. von Raitenau, late 16th cent. &
a South German/Austrian hand shield, dated 1522
A German double-barrelled wheellock puffer,
probably Saxony, dated 1598
Hermann Historica oHG ✦ Linprunstr. 16 ✦ D-80335 Munich ✦ Phone +49-89-54726490
Fax +49-89-547264999
THE LONDON
ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE ✦ E-Mail: [email protected]
bonhams.com/arms
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
3
Master Gunmaker
Restorer of Artillery
Antique Arms
The London Antique­
Arms Fairs 2014
Cased pair of D/B Percussion Officers
Pistols by John Manton.
Cased Percussion Pepperbox
Revolver by Parker of London.
The London Antique Arms Fair
is promoted by Arms Fairs Ltd.
Chairman: John Slough
Secretary: Adam Slough.
Arms Fairs Ltd., 8 The Old Forge,
Peterchurch, Hereford HR2 0SD
Tel: 07780 663819
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.antiquearmsfairsltd.co.uk
Cased pair of Percussion
Dueling Pistols by Samuel Nock.
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THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
The War Horse Ride 2014
7
By Margaret Slough
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Editors: John Slough and Adam Slough
Index of advertisers
21
The London Antique Arms Fair guide
is published on behalf of Arms Fairs Ltd
by John Good.
Index of exhibitors
22
Table plan for the fair
24
The Mons Drum By Paul Wilcock
26
Pistols for Pockets by F Wilkinson
34
© Arms Fairs Ltd., 2014.
Printed in England.
8 The Old Forge, Peterchurch, Hereford, HR2 0SD
Tel: 07775 643762
E-mail: [email protected]
www.johnsloughoflondon.co.uk
A welcome from the Chairman
All material contained within is strictly
copyright and all rights are reserved. The
opinions expressed are not necessarily
those of the publishers. Every care is
taken in compiling the publication, but
the publishers can bear no responsibility
for effects arising therefrom or from the
advertisements contained herein.
All information correct at time of printing.
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
5
A WELCOME FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Welcome to the 93rd London
Antique Arms Fair
This year we are remembering the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 and I am privileged to be part of the War Horse
Ride 2014, a fitting tribute to the soldiers and horses engaged in the war and in particular ‘L’ Battery, Royal Horse Artillery who, as
part of the Cavalry Division and the British Expeditionary Force, held the line at Nery on 1 September 1914. Three gunners of ‘L’
Battery were awarded Britain’s highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, for their brave action on that day.
Cannon and artillery for hire for film industry, TV, theatre, concerts and gun salutes.
John Slough of London have been in the business of restoration and conservation of cannon and artillery of all periods for over 40 years.
The film industry’s increasing need for blank firing big guns with experienced armourers and firing team means we now have a dedicated stock of
period cannon and artillery ready for hire as well as the ability to produce any custom made piece for individual requirements.
9 Pdr RML Field gun
18 pdr QF Field gun
Complete on period field carriage
Complete on its original field carriage
The 13pdr QF field gun which I took
to France is on display here at the
September fair. It still has the mud of
Flanders fields on its wheels and carries
with it some poignant memories.
Our chosen beneficiary charity, the Not
Forgotten Association, was founded
in 1920 to care for the wounded of all
three armed services and it continues
this vital work to this day.
200 muzzle loading cannon and mortars
24 pdr reproduction cast iron Scottish carronades
Used for the Battle Proms concerts
Complete on period carriage
Photo courtesy of Balantynes of Walkerburn
This centenary year, more than any
previously, there is huge interest in all
things with relevance to the Great War
and this will be reflected in the items on
display and for sale at the fair, particularly
with our exhibitors who specialise in
memorabilia of this period.
This year’s arms fairs are dedicated
to the memory of the three gunners
awarded the VC for their action at Nery:
Captain Edward Bradbury VC, fatally
wounded and died by the gun at Nery.
Battery Sgt Major George Dorrell VC,
survived the war.
Sgt David Nelson VC, killed in action in
1918.
We will remember them.
Royal Artillery War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner.
John Slough
Chairman
John Slough of London, Master Gunmaker, The Old Forge, Peterchurch, Hereford HR2 0SD
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THE LONDON ANTIQUE
ARMS
FAIR 643
GUIDE
Tel:
07775
762
Email: [email protected] www.artilleryhire.com
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
7
A EUROPEAN KNIGHTLY SWORD WITH AN ARABIC
INSCRIPTION FROM THE ARSENAL OF ALEXANDRIA,
ITALIAN OR GERMAN, CIRCA 1340-1400
SPECIALISTS IN ANTIQUE ARMS,
ARMOUR & RELATED OBJECTS
38 & 39 Duke Street, St James’s,
London SW1Y 6DF
tel: +44 (0) 20 7839 5666
fax: +44 (0) 20 7839 5777
email: [email protected]
www.peterfiner.com
Total length: 99.7cm (391/4in) Blade length: 77.4cm (301/2in)
Span of crossguard: 18.9cm (77/16in) Weight: 1,683g (3lb 113/8oz)
The hilt comprising a large and very thick ‘wheel’ pommel with raised central
bosses and a straight cross-guard of stout square section, swelling at the forte
and with arms that widen towards the ends. The wide and thick tang is of
hand-and-a-half length. The broad, double-edged blade widens perceptibly at
the hilt and tapers gradually towards a lancet tip, with a long fuller on each
face, and is incised with various marks. On one side near the hilt is the mark of
a small cross, and further down the blade is a letter ‘S’ within a circle, both of
which retain traces of latten inlay. The opposite face shows a chevron mark, as
well as a cross fourché within a circle. Prominent on this face, and between the
marks, is an Arabic inscription showing two lines of naskhi script.
This is a particularly fine example of a knightly ‘sword of war’ that belongs
to the large and diverse group of European medieval swords that bear Arabic
inscriptions from the Arsenal of Alexandria. The inscription on this piece, very
prominently engraved on one side of the blade, reads as follows:
“From what was made (or brought in) during the time of our master, Prince
of Emirs, sayf al-din Aristây. Donation to the arsenal in the frontier city of
Alexandria, the well-protected.”
Although there is no date on the inscription, we can fix the date of its bequest
to the arsenal with reasonable precision from what we know of the emir named
thereon. Sayf al-din Aristây al-Zahiri was a veteran mamluk of the Sultan alZahir Barquq who, shortly after the Sultan’s death, held the post of Viceroy
of Alexandria (nâ’ib al-iskandarîyya) from December 1400 until May 1401.
Given that many of the sword types that were donated during his tenure are
typologically diverse, and that no treaties existed at this time between the
Christian and Muslim powers of the region, it seems likely that this sword was
a captured weapon rather than a diplomatic gift.
There are a great many references to these large ‘swords of war’ in the
art and literature of the fourteenth century, and our sword could have been
manufactured at any time from the mid-fourteenth century until the date of
its deposition in 1400-01. Some of the various makers’ marks shown upon this
sword retain traces of latten inlay to a greater or lesser extent, and all resemble
similar marks upon contemporary pieces. With its broad blade, optimised
for delivering terrible shearing blows and counterbalanced by a long grip and
heavy pommel, it can be classified as belonging to Oakeshott’s Type XIIIa,
many examples of which survive in museums and private collections around
the world. A good example of this type of sword in a medieval context is shown
on an altar panel by Leonardo di Ser Giovanni in Pistoia Cathedral, and is
dated 1371. An earlier example, of similar proportions to our sword, may be
seen on the tomb slab of the German knight Johann Spirer de Gleyspalsen
(d. 1345) in the Church of San Romano in Lucca.
Provenance:
Christies, Sale Catalogue, 20th October 1982, Lot 27
Our tenth catalogue of antique arms and
armour is now available.
Buy online at www.peterfiner.com, through
our app, or contact us to order your copy.
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THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
Literature:
R.E. Oakeshott, Records of the Medieval Sword, Boydell, Woodbridge,
1991, No. XIIIa.8
R.E. Oakeshott, Sword in Hand, Arms & Armor Inc., Minneapolis,
2000, Fig. 85
D.A. Oliver, Some European Knightly Swords from the Arsenal of
Alexandria, in the Catalogue of the Sixteenth Park Lane Arms Fair,
London, 1999, Sword No. 10
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
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T H E WA R H O R S E R I D E 2 014
T H E WA R H O R S E R I D E 2 014
13pdr QF Field Gun
in Action in France
By Margaret Slough
Le Cateau
Our journey begins at Le Cateau with a request to fire a salute specifically to honour the memory of
the 80th Battery which formed part of XV Brigade RFA at the Suffolk Memorial which commemorates
the action of 26 August 1914.
Here in an area of slag heaps and coal
mines the Brigade came into action for
the first time, before receiving orders for
the withdrawal westward from Mons in the
direction of Le Cateau. Two days later on
26 August, and now joined as a Group
by the 37th Battery R.F.A. with its 4.5
Howitzers, they came into action again for
the first major artillery battle of the War.
Le Cateau had never been planned as a
‘set piece’ battle, but only as a holding
operation during the general withdrawal
which was still continuing along the whole
front. The Battery positions, chosen
hurriedly and in the dark were later much
criticised, in an attempt to provide close
support for the Infantry the guns were
placed almost in the front line on the
forward slope of the hill. The position
offered a good line of fire towards the
German attack but little protection was
afforded by shallow defensive trenches
gouged out of the hard rocky soil and
the guns were exposed to shelling from
German artillery positions on three sides.
During the battle, which lasted from
dawn until the order to withdraw was
given after 1400 hrs, the Brigade suffered
The War Horse Ride on the road
heavy losses, the Colonel was wounded
and taken prisoner, 16 Officers and many
Other Ranks were lost, 280 horses were
killed during the action. At the end of the
day XV Brigade RFA emerged from the
battle with only four subalterns and eight
guns remaining.
Three VC’s were awarded to members of
the Group, along with six DSO’s and two
DCM’s. Many others deserving of awards
for this day were never recognised, due to
the lack of superior officers remaining on
duty to make the necessary reports after
the battle.
Drawn by 6 horses up the steep sunken
lane, along the skyline and out into open
country, the 13pdr gun team took position
in driving rain at the Suffolk Memorial
Cemetery to take part in the service
of commemoration and wreath laying
ceremony. The horses and limber were
detached and withdrew to a safe distance.
After the eulogy we fired two shots from
the gun to signal the start and end of the
minute silence, the wind and rain adding to
the authenticity of the moment.
There were gathered re-enactors in period
uniform representing regiments, French,
British and German, deployed at the
action, a detachment from 93 Battery,
many residents of the Le Cateau area and
people who had travelled from far and wide
to remember and honour their relatives
who served and lost their lives here.
Maroilles
Moy de l’Aisne
From there onward to Maroilles where the
War Horse Ride were encamped overnight
by an Abbey and an ancient watermill in an
idyllic meadow at the riverside. Torrential
rain, thunder and lightning however were
making things difficult and the ground was
already waterlogged. The river was rising
rapidly and there was a real fear that the
camping ground would be under water by
morning.
On 28 August 1914 the 12th Lancers were
in Brigade Reserve in the Chateau grounds
at Moy on the River Oise. Men and horses
were resting. At 4.pm a sudden outburst
of firing was heard. The Colonel of the
Regiment ordered the ‘saddle up’ and
within 4 minutes C Squadron, commanded
by Capt. Mitchell, was filing out of the
park, followed closely by the Machine
Gun section and the other 2 Squadrons.
It was a evocative scene in the early
morning sun next day, horse lines and
bell tents by the swollen river, beneath
the trees, as the cavalry got ready to
ride out, dressed in 1914 field service
uniform, wearing insignia and armed
with appropriate weapons. Lancers were
naturally carrying lances in addition to the
1908 pattern sword and Lee Enfield rifles
carried by all riders representing cavalry
regiments. The horses, all well turned out,
were mainly bays and chestnuts with one
striking grey, they were in a great state of
excitement and once saddled were keen
to be off. There was an atmosphere of
high anticipation and a flurry of activity
as accoutrements, weapons and uniform
were carefully checked and the General
Service Wagon hitched up and readied for
the long drive ahead.
Once in open ground German Cavalry
were sighted moving down from higher
ground, but retired to the crest line and
came into dismounted action. C Squadron
at once engaged the enemy dismounted,
whilst A and B Squadrons came round
dismounted on the enemy’s left flank.
C Squadron then remounted and bursting
into view of the astounded Germans,
charged across open country for 100 yds,
rode through the enemy line three times,
killing nearly all of them. The Lancers
suffered few casualties, but their gallant
Commander, Capt. Mitchell lost his life in
this heroic action at Moy.
The command was given and the War
Horse Ride set off at a brisk pace riding
in the ‘Column of Half Sections’ formation
through the historic town of Maroilles and
onwards out into open country.
This battle is commemorated here every
year on 28 August, on this centenary
year the Regiment had organised a special
programme of events with a church parade,
a march past, the dedication of the new
memorial at the Mairie and a special lunch
offered by the British Army to the French
delegation and invited guests.
That afternoon our 13pdr field gun was
Le Cateau
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THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
11
T H E WA R H O R S E R I D E 2 014
T H E WA R H O R S E R I D E 2 014
Drawing up the gun at Néry
for their gallant action on that day.
The L Battery by Royal Decree is now
called L Néry Battery, and the heroes are
buried in the village cemetery at Néry.
Le Cateau
brought into action and the team was
privileged to fire the minute gun at the
wreath laying ceremony at the town
cemetery. Later we sent a volley of 10
rounds across the battlefield to mark the
centenary while War Horse Riders recreated this famous charge by the 12th
Lancers, believed to be the last charge
ever made in action by British Cavalry.
Néry
In the early morning mist of 1 September
1914 the 1st Cavalry Brigade was encamped
just outside Néry, they had spent a quiet
night and the men went about their duties,
attending to the horses and equipment as
usual.
A reconnaissance patrol was sent off to
the east but instead of finding a French
Le Cateau
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THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
camp they encountered a scouting party
of German troops. The 4th Division of
the German Cavalry had been trying to
track down the British Cavalry for the last
3 days. After a rapid skirmish the patrol
made it back to Néry and raised the alarm
as the first artillery shells landed on the
village.
From the outset the gunners of L Battery,
Royal Horse Artillery were the worst hit,
caught under heavy fire in open country.
Four of their six guns were rapidly
destroyed and their gunners killed or
wounded before they could retaliate. A
remaining gun was brought into action by
Capt Bradbury who quickly improvised a
gun team of WO2 Dorrell, Sgt Nelson and
Gunners Osbourne and Derbyshire who
continued to fire keeping this single gun
in action against three German batteries
located 1,000 yards away. The artillery
fire put down by this gun allowed the 2nd
Dragoon Guards to organise a machine gun
battery to provide covering fire at German
Artillery now visible through the mist and
enabled the First Cavalry Brigade to mount
a successful counter attack, capturing 8
of the 12 German guns and nearly 200
prisoners. British reinforcements arrived
and the Germans were driven back at this
point from their objective, the capture of
Paris.
The people of Néry always mark this
anniversary, but now100 years on they
had put together an amazing programme
of events over three days: a concert in
the church, ‘ The Great War in Song’, a
guided walk around the battlefield, the
arrival of the War Horse Ride in the village
followed by their own special service of
remembrance at the cemetery, a football
match between British and German military
personnel, fortuitously resulting in a draw,
displays by the British Royal Artillery and at
night, a magnificent firework display.
On 1 September the wreath-laying
remembrance service at the cemetery
for those who died was followed by a
parade through the village of Néry to the
battlefield of the King’s Troop, Gurkha
Military Band, L Néry Battery, E Battery,
93 Battery, French and German serving
troops, the War Horse Riders, Veterans
Associations and the people of Néry and
Vaucelles.
Our 13pdr field gun, drawn by six
horses, was brought into position on the
battlefield, alongside the King’s Troop who
fired the minute gun at the religious service
and our gun team had the honour of firing
a 20 gun salute to the gunners, on the field
where 100 years ago to the day the heroic
action took place. It was the culmination
of our journey to remember and honour
the fallen, we feel it was a fitting tribute
and finale to the week’s commemorations.
The 100 year old 13pdr field gun and limber
restored to its 1914 fighting order by: John
Slough of London, Old Forge, Peterchurch,
Hereford HR2 0SD
www.johnsloughoflondon.co.uk
The horses and drivers trained and provided by:
Andy Spatcher of Duns Tew in Oxfordshire.
Transport provided by: M. Burgins and Son Ltd,
01597 851236 www.burgins4x4.co.uk
SHB vehicle hire and management
01794 511458 www.shb.co.uk
J & C Griffiths trailer hire 01874 711317
www.jandcg.co.uk
Capt Bradbury was mortally wounded
and the 4 other subalterns were injured,
L Battery lost all its officers, 49 men and
150 horses. Capt Bradbury, Sgts Dorrell
and Nelson were awarded the Victoria
Cross, Gunners Osbourne and Derbyshire
received the Distinguished Conduct Medal
The General Service Wagon at Moy de l’Aisne
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
13
Master Gunmaker
Restorer of Artillery
Antique Arms
requires
ANTIQUE FIREARMS
DRAGOON • POCKET • NAVY • ARMY • POLICE • DERRINGER
SEMI-AUTOS • 1873 SINGLE ACTIONS • 1877/8 DOUBLE ACTIONS
Plus ALL COLT Accessories, Cases, Moulds, Flasks, Holster,
Books and Associated Material
Cased Colt Model 1851 Navy percussion revolver serial number 199819 manufactured
circa 1866. Cased with full accessories.
A 13pdr Q. F. field gun – P.O.A.
8 The Old Forge, Peterchurch, Hereford, HR2 0SD
Tel: 07775 643762
E-mail: [email protected]
www.johnsloughoflondon.co.uk
14
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
BUY • SELL • TRADE
ALSO DEALING IN REMINGTON l S&W l WINCHESTER
P.O. Box 1199, Guildford, GU1 9JR
Telephone: 01483 277788 Fax: 01483 277784 Mobile: 07778 008008
email: [email protected]
Website: www.peteholder.co.uk
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
15
FISCHER
Antique Arms & Armour
Auction Sales 10 to 11 Sep. 2015
Viewing 31 Aug. to 7 Sep. 2015
Unique French double flintlock pistol,
Paris, ca. 1670/80
We are pleased to accept your consignments.
www.fischerauktionen.ch
Galerie Fischer Auktionen AG
Haldenstrasse 19 | 6006 Lucerne | Switzerland
Phone +41 (0)41 418 10 10
Fax +41 (0)41 418 10 80
Email [email protected]
16
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
17
Don’t want to carry valuables?
We offer a secure delivery service
fully insured
door to door within the UK
for items purchased at the Arms Fair.
Speak to our staff on the admissions desk
or ring 07780 663 819.
18
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Index of advertisers
Name
Britain’s Specialist Auctioneers of
Arms, Armour, Medals & Militaria
Page No
Antique & Classic Arms Fairs
Arms Fairs Ltd
21
18 - 19
Artillery Hire
6
Battle Proms
33
Name
Page No
Gwilliam, E.A.F
47
Hermann Historica
2
Hertsmere Fine Antique Arms Fair
John Slough of London
46
4 & 14
Bonhams3
Magazin Royal
31
Bristol Fine Antique Arms Fair
32
The Elizabethan Session
45
Combat Stress
17
Pete Holder Antique American Firearms
15
Thomas Del Mar Ltd
48
Finer, Peter
8-9
Fischer Auctioneers
16
Wallis & Wallis
20
Martin Giles Antiques
31
The Willow Foundation
31
&
THE BISLEY ANTIQUE
A North European Zischagge c 1630, reserved for the Connoisseur
Collectors’ Auction and to be sold on Wednesday 15th October 2014.
OCTOBER 14 & 15
AUTUMN CONNOISSEUR COLLECTORS’
AUCTION & SALE 566
Connoisseur Collectors’ colour illustrated catalogue £16, R of W £17
Regular Sale catalogue £9.50, Europe £10, R of W £10.50
(All prices include postage)
‘Get to know the real value of your collection’ – our last ten sale catalogues
are available, complete with prices realised, price £30 incl. postage.
All our auctions are ‘live’online with
www.bisleyarmsfair.co.uk
THE BISLEY PAVILION
SUNDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2014
SUNDAY 29TH MARCH 2015
A SPECIAL DAY FOR COLLECTORS AND SHOOTERS.
ALL THE LEADING DEALERS.
DEALERS AND COLLECTORS’ PREVIEW 8.00am, £6.00
PUBLIC ADMISSION 10am, £3.00
ENQUIRIES: PHONE 020 8452 3308 or 020 8200 6384
No charge for payment with debit card
email:THE
[email protected]
LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
20
CLASSIC ARMS FAIR
website: http://www.wallisandwallis.org
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
21
I N D E X O F E X H I B I TO R S
I N D E X O F E X H I B I TO R S
Index of exhibitors
Name
Address and contact numbers
A.A.S.N. Ltd. (Andrew Kiselev)
Office 3 17 Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 1DT, Tel. 07989 236341
Table No(s)
[email protected]
Akaal Arms Ltd (Runjeet Singh)
Warwickshire, UK Mob. 07866 424803
www.akaalarms.com [email protected]
29
18 - 19
Antique & Classic Arms Fairs (Cliff Fuller) Mob. 07850 373197 Tel. 0208 200 6384
www.bisleyarmsfair.co.uk [email protected]
49
Antique Sword Trader (Geoff Sherwin) Hamley House, Appleton Le Moors, York YO62 6TF 01751 417487 07795 344795
www.antiqueswordtrader.co.uk [email protected] Appleby, Michael
Wimbledon, London SW20 Tel. 020 8946 2495
Arms and Armour Research Institute
www.hud.ac.uk/armsandarmour
(Paul Wilcock)
Tel: 01484 471509 [email protected] Arms & Armour Society (A. Dove)
PO Box 10232, London SW19 2ZD
Asian Arms (Tony Paul)
Tel. 020 8966 9138 Mob:07973 822 996
www.asianarms.com [email protected] Battle Proms Concerts (Adam Slough)
Tel. 01432 355 416 www.battleproms.com [email protected]
Beadle, Alan
48
61 - 62
63
101
70
103 - 104
85 - 86
Bonhams 1793 Ltd Antique Arms and Armour Department, Montpelier St, London SW7 1HH
Tel. +44 (0)207 393 3807 Fax. +44 (0)207 393 3932 Mob. 07768 823711
www.bonhams.com [email protected]
Bottomley, A. S.
Holmfirth, Yorks Mob. 07770 398 270 Tel. 01484 685234
[email protected] www.andrewbottomley.com
Bryan, N.S.
Mob. 07860 225 535 [email protected]
Davinder Toor Ltd (Davinder Toor)
11, Home Farm Way, Stoke Poges, SL3 6NZ
Tel. 07939 200 087 [email protected]
Dyson, P & Son Ltd 3 Cuckoo Lane, Honley, Holmfirth, W Yorks, HD9 6AS Tel. 01484 661062
Fax. 01484 663709 www.peterdyson.co.uk [email protected]
English Arms & Armour
Mellanoweth House, Back Lane, Angarrack, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5JE
(Terry English)
Tel. 01736 753444 Flintlocks at War (Richard Smith)
Taunton Antiques Market, Silver St, Taunton, TA1 3DH
Mob. 07969 599 076
www.flintlocksatwar.com [email protected]
102
105 - 107
27
14
38 - 39
Tel. 0118 3757420 Mob. 07919 574423
www.hbsa-uk.org [email protected]
Hatford Antiques (P. Smith)
Hatford Cottage, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 8JF Tel. 01367 710241
[email protected] Mob: 07836 375931
Hobson, G. J.
Daccombe Mill, Coffinswell, Devon TQ12 4SY
Tel. 01803 873121 [email protected] Mob. 07812 133 149
Huw Williams Antiques
The Antique Shop, Madoc St, Porthmadog, Gwynedd LL49 9NL
Tel. 01766 514741 Fax. 01766 514741 Mob. 07785 747561
[email protected] www.antiquegunswales.co.uk
Iosson, Andrew
211 Ringinglow Road, Bents Green, Sheffield S11 7PT
Tel. 0114 2366360 Mob. 07979 648663
www.finesportingcollectablesltd.co.uk [email protected]
Jenkins, Peter
‘Tamind’, 9 Blofield Road, Brundall, NR13 5NN
Mob. 07917 798 933 www.ssbw.co.uk [email protected]
John Slough of London
Old Forge, Peterborough, Hereford HR2 0SD Tel. 07775 643762
www.johnsloughoflondon.co.uk [email protected]
John Wilson Antiques
Mob. 07941 477043 [email protected]
Jonathan Barrett Limited
The Old Vicarage, Church Lane, Lewes BN7 2JA
Tel. 01273 486501 Mob. 07717 743 061 Fax. 01273 486501
www.jonathanbarrett.com [email protected]
Ken Trotman Ltd.
PO Box 505, Huntingdon, PE29 2XW Tel. 01480 454292 Fax. 01480 384651
(Richard Brown)
www.kentrotman.com [email protected]
M. L. A. G. B. (Ken Hocking)
PO Box 340, Sevenoaks, Kent Tel. 01732 463214
Magazin Royal
65 Steenstraat, B1800, Vilvoorde, Belgium Tel. 0032 475492450
(Gilbert Putterie)
Fax. 0032 22677537 [email protected] www.magazinroyal.be
Manuela Gil Antiguidades (Jose Silva)
Rua Marquesa de Alorna 38c, 1700-304 Lisbon, Portugal Tel:(351) 218-464-313
Mob: (351) 964-055-915 www.manuelagil.pt [email protected]
Martin Giles Antiques
Barnet, Herts Tel. 020 8441 3380 Mob. 07860 782 286 Fax. 020 8441 3432
www.mgantiques.co.uk [email protected]
Michael D. Long Ltd.
86 Ireton Rd, Leicester LE4 9ET Tel. +44 (0) 845 260 1910 Mob. +44 (0)7970 161701
(Bob Hedger)
Fax. +44 (0)871 250 1910 www.michaeldlong.com [email protected]
Oriental Arms
PO Box 55293, Haifa, Israel 34580 Tel. 00972 50 7587101 Fax. 00972 50 8251380
(Artzi Yarom)
www.oriental-arms.com [email protected]
Parr, Ralph
Sidegarth, Aughton, Lancaster LA2 6PG Tel. 01524 811808 Fax. 01524 811445
55
109
37
36
82
1-6
94 - 95
25 - 26
99 - 100
51
90 - 91
87
75 - 76
40 - 41
56
10 - 11
42 - 43
Fax. 01483 277784 Mob. 07778 008 008
www.peteholder.com [email protected]
45 - 47
Petty, David
2 The Grange, Green Lane, Burnham, Bucks SL1 8EN Tel. 01628 605519
77 - 78
Rod Akeroyd & Son (Rod/Jason)
20 Ribblesdale Place, Preston, PR1 3NA 01772 203845 Fax:01772 203855 07765 251532/07836 599464 www.firearmscollector.com [email protected] (Dom Vincent)
Mob. 07809 710599
www.garthvincent.com [email protected]
Gwilliam, E. A. F. Candletree House, Cricklade, nr Swindon SN6 6AX
Seidler, Christopher F. (Chris Seidler)
PO Box 59979, London SW16 9AZ 0845 644 3674
Tel. 01793 750241 Fax. 01793 750359 Mob. 07836 613632 [email protected]
www.antique-militaria.co.uk [email protected]
[email protected] www.edredgwilliam.com
H.B.S.A. (David Frohnweiser)
BCM HBSA, London, WC1N 3XX
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
32
Pete Holder Antique American Firearms PO Box 1199, Guildford, GU1 9JR Tel. 01483 277788
Garth Vincent Antique Arms & Armour Tel: 01400 281358
22
97 - 98
16 - 17
53 - 54
7-9
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
23
I N D E X O F E X H I B I TO R S
I N D E X O F E X H I B I TO R S
26
27
28
29
Mob. 07884 002 826 www.spoils-of-war.co.uk [email protected]
Stand of Arms (Chris Berry)
Southgate, London N14 Tel. 0208 886 4730 Fax. 0208 482 2204
Mob. 07790 806364 www.standofarms.co.uk [email protected]
The Kings Shilling (Steve Jackson)
53 Ravenhill Lane, Newtownards, BT23 4PH
Tel. 02891 826 104
Thomas Del Mar Ltd
25 Blythe Rd, London W14 0PD Tel. 020 7602 4805
[email protected] www.thomasdelmar.com Wallis & Wallis (Roy Butler)
West St Auction Galleries, 7-9 West St, Lewes, BN7 2NJ 01273 480208
Fax:01273 476562 www.wallisandwallis.org [email protected] 20 - 22
War Horse Ride 2014 (John Slough)
Mob. 07775 643 762 www.warhorseride2014.org 72 - 74
33
25
Hop Hill Cottage, Aubourn, Lincoln, LN5 9DZ Tel. 01522 788807
32
Table plan for the fair
Spoils of War (David Hughes)
Waterloo Militaria (Gary Lawrence)
27 Merlin Rd, Romford RM5 3YH Mob. 07935 324562
www.waterloomilitaria.com [email protected]
12
30
31
24
23
93
104
105
103
94
92
fire exit
Mob:07845 159 294
[email protected] 22
106
102
95
91
Watts, Tony
93
44 - 44a
23-24
110
34
34
107
21
West Street Antiques (Jon Spooner)
63 West St., Dorking, Surrey RH4 1BS Tel. 01306 883487 Fax. 01306 883487
Mob. 07855 519934 www.antiquearmsandarmour.com [email protected]
35
108
101
96
90
Wilson, Pete
67 - 68
57 – 60
525 NW 7th Street, Dania FL 33004 USA
Tel. 305-968-0106 [email protected] 88
Yorke, P.
‘Quills’, Bagshot Road, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8DE Tel. 01276 857576
80 - 81
37
99
36
100
98
109
97
89
Wood, Harleston. R
110
88
20
87
111
58
69
38
39
40a
40
41
fire exit
42
19
80
59
57
81
82
83
84
70
18
43
85
78
86
46
73
65
1
74
64
63
53
50
48
47a
reception
47
75
51
44
72
66
45
62
76
61
54
77
55
15
67
56
16
71
79
68
60
17
fire exit
44a
2
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
5
7
4
3
loading bay
24
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
25
THE MONS DRUM
THE MONS DRUM
“It will all be over by Christmas”
Lt. Col. J.A.C.Gibbs and the Mons Drum
By Paul Wilcock
As the First World War passes from living memory we must now rely on contemporary accounts,
diaries, film footage and artefacts to remind us of the experiences of those who left their homes and
families to fight for their country, and to maintain an understanding of the human cost. For many of
those going to war the recruiting slogan “It will all be over by Christmas” was accepted as fact. By
the time the initial engagements of the conflict took place, it had become increasingly evident that it
would not be the ‘walk in the park’ that many believed.
transpired successfully, to halt the German
advance long enough to prevent the
French Fifth Army from being outflanked.
As the units were armed and prepared for
battle, not only were weapons made ready
but other iconic regimental equipment was
prepared for departure. Among these, the
2nd Battalion, The Duke of Wellington’s
Regiment, like so many other units, issued
its drums. For them one drum in particular
has become a symbol of that initial phase
in the conflict and a reminder of one of
its most famous commanding officers,
Lt. Colonel James Alec Charles (JAC)
Gibbs CB. It now takes pride of place
26
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
as part of the World War I exhibition in
the Regimental Museum in Halifax simply
titled, ‘The Mons Drum’. The drum
originally carried not only the regimental
insignia but also the battle honours and,
like the colours, serves as a reminder of
the heritage and accomplishments of
the Regiment. Because of this, while not
perhaps as significant as the colours, it
was an important artefact and not to be
allowed to fall into enemy hands.
War was declared on 4th August 1914
and the British Expeditionary Force began
to embark for France. The B.E.F. was a
small army comprising 80,000 men initially
formed into two Corps. The 2nd Battalion
the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment formed
part of the 13th Brigade arriving in France
on 16th August and crossed the Belgian
frontier to deploy in St. Ghislain six days
later. The Battle of Mons was the first
engagement of the war with the B.E.F.,
outnumbered three to one attempting, as it
The 2nd Battalion played a significant
role in the initial phase of the encounter
at Mons and they paid a high price. The
action is recorded in vivid detail in the
diary of Lt. Colonel J.A.C.Gibbs, who was
wounded and taken prisoner. Lt. Colonel
Gibbs was born in 1866 making him 47
years old in 1914 when he commanded
the 2nd Battalion, at the outbreak of the
1st World War. He was a veteran soldier
joining the 2nd Battalion in 1887, serving
in Africa where he was twice wounded,
and becoming Lt. Colonel in 1912. After
the war, in 1920 he was awarded the CB.
While his diary is brief, lasting only until
November 16th 1914, it gives a colourful
account of those first few months of the
war. On the morning of the 23rd August
1914 Gibbs records:
been killed, recorded as the first to die
in the Regiment. By now shrapnel was
bursting overhead and the 1st Battalion
Royal West Kent Regiment had suffered
heavy losses. At 21.55 Gibbs received
orders from Brigade to retire to positions
at Wasmes.
The firefight proceeded and in the
darkness, Gibbs withdrew his troops as
best he could. He records that by 11.30
the following morning the enemy fire was
increasing and the capacity for the British
artillery to reply was diminishing. A few
minutes later Lt. Colonel Gibbs’ active part
in the war came to an abrupt end. It is best
“A lovely morning broke
and we hoped for a
peaceful day”
He could not have been more wrong. By
mid-morning he could hear gun fire, by
1pm his men were able to see German
soldiers in the hedgerows only 400 yards
away and by 3pm Private Shellabear had
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
27
THE MONS DRUM
THE MONS DRUM
described in his own words:
“The fire although hellish
had up to date done
practically no damage to
the Reserve company
thanks to the concealed
position of the trenches
etc. but at 12.15 pm
three shells burst in quick
succession, the first
getting into the advanced
trench on the east side
of ‘Bosquet’ killing and
wounding several; the
second burst close to
where Strafford and I
were talking. He fell dead
with a piece of shrapnel
through his temple and
at the same I got three
pieces in my left side and
a small piece through my
left wrist. A small trench
in front of us had several
casualties also... Taylor
who was near me, tied
me up and with the help
of another man got me
into the shade behind
a trench from where I
could more or less see
what was going on. I sent
word back to Macleod I
was hit and to carry on.”
Gibbs dragged himself through a nearby
garden and was eventually helped to an
ambulance by the Belgian Red Cross. The
remainder of his diary describes his time
in hospital, poignantly detailing the deaths
of fellow officers and men as the German
onslaught continued.
And so, what of the Mons Drum? Now
facing an increasingly ferocious onslaught
28
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
The first account was furnished by
Mr.O.Ramsbottom ex R.Q.M.S in 1936.
He describes the events of the 23rd
August with the Battalion being rapidly
deployed from their billets to join the
West Kent’s who were under severe
pressure. He accounts for the drum being
left unattended by the fact that the men
were deployed in “battle order without
packs” meaning that while the drummers
may have taken bugles, the drums were
left behind. The Battalion subsequently
withdrew to Wasmes and never returned
to those billets.
from the German forces there was a
distinct risk that the drum may be lost to
the enemy. At this point the combination
of fact and regimental legend becomes
interwoven. One of the aspects upon
which all accounts agree was that the drum
was being carried by Drummer William
Mellish. It had been made by Henry Potter
& Co. in 1885, and was itself a veteran
having seen action in South Africa. The
regimental legend tells of the drum being
left in St Ghislain as the Battalion withdrew
and for safety, being buried by a Belgian
woman to prevent it falling into the hands
of the Germans. The drum was recorded as
having been returned to the Regiment after
the war; however from 1936 onwards there
are various insights recorded in editions of
the regimental journal, ‘The Iron Duke’.
In 1937 a letter was received at Regimental
HQ from Colonel Goldthorpe, late of the
4th Battalion. It transpired that he was
billeted in St. Ghislain in 1919. While there,
he notes that the local Belgian population
were engaged in ‘digging up’ valued articles
they had buried to save them from falling
into German hands. One of Goldthorpe’s
officers was billeted with a woman who,
while he was present, dug up a drum and
gave it to him. The initial assumption was
that it belonged to the West Kent’s but
on closer examination was recognised
as belonging to the Duke of Wellington’s
Regiment at which point, it was returned
to the 2nd Battalion who were billeted in a
nearby town. One mystery is of course, the
name of the lady who saved this artefact.
Colonel Goldthorpe is clear in his letter
in 1937 that the name of the woman who
buried and recovered it, and an account
of its story, was passed to the Regiment;
however no record of this can be found.
In the 1958 edition of The Iron Duke,
further detail is revealed in an article
entitled ‘The 2nd Battalion Drum’. This
appears to conflict with the account of
the drum simply being left in the billet.
According to this account, which adds
further detail to Colonel Goldthorpe’s
recollections, the lady came across a
British soldier “haring” down the road
towards her who thrust the drum into her
hands and ran on. The soldier is thought
to have been Drummer Mellish. It seems
that when confronted by advancing
Germans the lady is alleged to have stood
effectively in the drum concealing it in
her long skirts. The drum having been
buried was exhumed and the identity of its
original owner revealed.
The penultimate reference appears in
1964 where most details remain the same
with the exception of the fact that in this
account, it is suggested that Mellish was
billeted at the lady’s house and asked her
the night before to look after the drum until
the unit returned, which of course it did
not. According to Colonel Goldthorpe’s
account, Mellish was invalided home
during the war however this was later
discovered not to be the case.
The final account appears briefly in ‘The
Iron Duke’ 2008 celebrating the reopening
of the ‘Duke’s’ museum where the drum is
pictured with a later model but still bearing
the scars of its remarkable experiences of
war.
Obviously none of the participants in this
account are still alive to reveal the secrets
of the drum. Drummer Mellish according
to Colonel Goldthorpe’s letter died
soon after the war. In fact Mellish never
returned home. Born in 1896 in Deptford
he was captured in August 1914 and was
interned in the Dyrotz Prisoner of War
Camp in Brandenburg throughout the war.
Regimental records note that he died on
16th December 1918 though the cause
of death is not recorded. He is buried in
Berlin South Western Cemetery.
Lt. Colonel Gibbs served the Regiment
valiantly and retired, having been
awarded the CB for his services, dying in
1930 aged 63. His obituary in ‘The Iron
Duke’ states that he died suddenly from
peritonitis, believed at the time to have
been caused by the wounds he had
sustained many years earlier. He leaves a
fascinating personal account, all be it brief,
of his experiences. His sword has been
preserved and was placed in a wooden
glazed case as a permanent memory of his
service.
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
29
THE MONS DRUM
During the engagement of the 24th August
and later the following year during the
bloody encounter at Hill 60, many officers
and men of the Battalion gave their lives.
Some of them are now commemorated
in the Regimental museum; their names
listed on the Reninghelst Cross, once
commemorating the fallen of the Battalion
in Reninghelst churchyard and now
displayed with a group photograph of the
Battalion’s officers taken in Dublin in 1914.
Of the 26 men in the photograph, 16 were
killed or wounded. In the same attack
in which Gibbs was wounded, Major
Strafford died as he was talking with Gibbs,
Captain Denman-Jubb and Lieutenant
Russell were also killed. Major Townshend,
Captain Taylor, Lieutenants Thompson and
Ozanne, along with Second Lieutenants
Oliphant and Young were wounded.
Today, the drum is barely recognisable as
that of 2nd Battalion. The trained eye can
still pick out the regimental insignia and
some remnants of the battle honours but
its experiences since being parted from
Drummer Mellish have taken their toll.
Visitors to the museum may choose to
spend a few quiet moments in the room
commemorating the Regiment’s valour in
that war that everyone believed would be
over by Christmas. The room is now home
to the Reninghelst Cross and the Mons
Drum standing beside the picture of Lt.
Colonel Gibbs and his officers before they
went to war. Now of course all are long
gone, some valiantly fighting and dying for
their country, some, in later life thankful
that they had been spared.
Peacefully and in quiet contemplation, the
Mons Drum still reminds us of that day in
August 1914, and it now silently sounds a
beat that echoes in the hearts of all those
who take time to remember the fallen.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the following for their
assistance. Mr Scott Flaving, Regimental Headquarters
DWR; Mr John Spencer, Curator, The Duke of
Wellington’s Regimental Museum, Bankfield Museum,
Halifax; Mr Richard Harvey for the photographs of
the modern drums and the Trustees of the Duke of
Wellington’s Regiment Museum.
Arms Anciennes
de Qualitî
Tel: 32 (0)2 267 72 07
32 (0) 477 206 204
Magazin Royal
BELGIUM
By appointment only
European & Oriental
Arms & Armour
Mobile: 32 (0)475 492 450
Fax: 32 (0)2 267 7537
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30
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
31
B AT T L E
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Burghley house - 4 July • Blenheim Palace - 11 July • hatfield house - 18 July
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Trade Entry: 9am
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Sunday 1st. March, 2015
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Tel: 07771 742191 or 07860 782286
Email: [email protected]
a summer celeBration with
music • fireworks • sPitfire
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FOLLOW US ON:
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Tricorn Fairs is a trading partnership of Chris Berry, Martin Giles & David Collier
32
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
WWW.BATTLEPROMS.COM TEL: 01432 355416
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
33
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
Pistols for Pockets
By F Wilkinson
The appearance of firearms had a tremendous effect on warfare for they placed a deadly weapon
in the hands of virtually untrained soldiers but they also affected civilian life. Possession of a small
firearm which could be carried, hidden about the person, now made it possible for an assassin to
attack either from a distance, or to get very close to his victim before striking.
However the law allowed ‘All nobleman
and such known gentlemen’ the right to
carry pistols on horseback provided that
they were in a holster at the saddlebow;
a privilege also granted to their servants,
provided they had a letter of authority.
French men-at-arms were carrying pistols
in this way as early as 1540.
The first firearms were heavy and
cumbersome and not easily concealed.
A weapon using the matchlock system
with its burning fuse was virtually
impossible to carry on the person and
consequently, although some matchlock
pistols were produced in Asia, European
examples are extremely rare. It was not
long before the first pistol assassination
occurred in France1. For the assassin the
pistol became the weapon of choice for
disposing of enemies or even killing prime
ministers2 or scaring queens3. The pocket
pistol still served in the same role during
World War II when Allied secret agents
could be supplied with the Liberator pistol.
It was a small, crude, single-shot .45 pistol
intended primarily for dealing with enemy
agents.
Although there are no specific definitions
most flintlock pistols are usually divided
into size categories. The largest are holster,
belt or horse pistols such as the military
issue, slightly smaller ones are commonly
known as travelling, overcoat or officer’s
pistols and then come pocket pistols. A
group of the smallest are often described
as muff pistols, allegedly since they were
small enough to be carried inside a handwarming muff, although the evidence for
such an origin is difficult to find. Until the
19th century most pistols were carried
attached to a belt by means of a belt hook
or, by horsemen, in holsters at the saddle
bow. The personal belt holster is basically
a 19th century development.
The term pistol is applied to a firearm that
can be used single-handed as opposed
to a musket, blunderbuss or carbine and
obviously it is generally taken to apply
to smaller firearms. The name has an
uncertain origin probably being derived
from a pistolese which was a dagger,
a manufacturing speciality of the town
of Pistoia in Florence. The reason for
adopting the name of a dagger for a
firearm is obscure but it is what appears to
have happened4.
It is with the development of the wheellock mechanism, early in the 16th century,
that the pistol first becomes a practical
weapon. Long arms using a wheel lock
were plentiful but the majority are fairly
large and even the smaller versions can
hardly be described as pocket-size. Those
in authority or at risk from assassins soon
became aware that pistols represented a
potential danger and steps were taken to
minimise the threat. In 15755, Parliament
under Elizabeth I decreed that officers
were to arrest anyone carrying a dag
(pistol) and take them before a justice.
34
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
A Nuremberg made wheel lock pistol
bearing the mark of the town and the
Danner family. It dates from early in the
17th century and has a typical military
style stock. The mechanism of the wheel,
spring and pan could only be modified
to a limited degree but even then made
the smallest pistol very difficult to conceal
about the person.
One complaint made by Elizabeth’s
Parliament was that an increase in crime
had encouraged citizens to arm themselves
in self defence. Travel had always involved
some degree of danger but until the
emergence of regular, organised police
forces it had been up to the traveller to
provide some form of self defence; one
such means was the pistol which, unlike a
sword, required little skill in its use. Strictly
speaking the term ‘pocket pistols’ should
only be used to describe weapons dating
from the 17th century when pockets,
rather like small purses hanging from a
waist belt, first make their appearance as
part of everyday costume. The modern
pocket which is part of the clothing
does not evolve until later in the 17th
century. In collectors’ terms the smaller
pistols, commonly described as pocket,
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
mostly date from the 18th and early 19th
centuries.
The wheel-lock mechanism could only be
miniaturised to a degree and even the small
wheel-lock pistols would be uncomfortable
in a pocket. It is with the development of
the flintlock mechanism in the 17th century
that the true pocket pistol appears and
they were simply smaller versions of the
larger snaphaunce or flintlock weapons.
They became increasingly common from
the early 18th century; one reason for
their popularity was the marked increase
in trade and social journeys which were
features of the period. This development,
in turn, led to an abundance of footpads
and highwaymen infesting the roads who
constituted a serious threat in town as well
as the open country; there are records
of highway robberies taking place in the
centre of London. In 1738 Doctor Samuel
Johnson of Dictionary fame (1709-1784)
wrote a long poem entitled London.
He painted an alarming and depressing
picture of life in the Metropolis, with
murder and robbery around every corner.
He suggested that before leaving home
it would be wise to make a will because
there was a good chance you would not
return alive. He claimed that it was likely
that
Dating from the 1780s this flintlock pocket pistol is signed by the London maker William(1)
Jover. It has a brass lock and a 2 ½ in., turn-off barrel with some engraved decoration
including a trophy of arms. The slab-sided butt is extensively decorated with inlaid silver
wire and also has a plain silver escutcheon. By this period the old Queen Anne style was
being abandoned although this butt still slightly suggests the older fashion. It has the sliding
safety catch to lock cock and frizzen.
Some frolick Drunkard,
reeling from a feast,
Provokes a Broil, and
stabs you for a Jest
Travellers very soon realised there
was a real need for some form of self
protection. Although a blunderbuss or a
coaching carbine might have their place
in the traveller’s armoury, for the ordinary
citizen or merchant mounted or on foot, a
weapon small enough to be carried about
the person was more suitable.
The pocket pistol, in general, was simply
a smaller version of the usual belt model
with a conventional wooden stock and
side-mounted flintlock. The most usual
Typical Queen Anne pocket pistol of 1780 with cannon, turn-off barrel with lug and the action signed Allen of Poole. The smooth butt has
applied silver wire decoration including a grotesque mask butt cap. It lacks any safety devices.
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
35
P I S T O L ES D FI TO
O RR I P
AO
L CKETS
P I S TO LE
S DFI TO
O RR I PAO
L CKETS
Made by Jackson Tenterden, a Birmingham maker and dated by an assay letter on the silver decoration to 1784. It retains many features
of the earlier Queen Anne style with extensive silver decoration including a grotesque butt cap. It has the earlier sliding trigger guard safety
locking device.
pattern of the pistol in the 17th century
and early part of the 18th century is the
Queen Anne style. This monarch reigned
from 1702 - 1714 but her name has come
to be used for pistols dating up to the
1780s. Examples from the late 17th and
early 18th centuries are mostly short and
half-stocked with a stubby, rounded and
curved butt which is often embellished
with a silver butt cap; frequently in the
shape of a grotesque mask. Most pistols
have ball-triggers and lack a guard which
cannot have contributed to safe carrying.
It must be obvious that it was foolhardy
to carry a loaded, ready-to fire pistol in
any receptacle, least of all a pocket, and
consequently in an emergency the pistol
still had to be cocked before it was ready
to fire.
One feature of the majority of the 18th
century pocket pistols is the barrel which
is manufactured in two sections, a style
usually known as a turn-off barrel. The
Very typical of its period, this London made pistol by William Thomas 1 Bond dates from
around 1803 – 1810 when he is recorded at an address in Lombard Street. Quite plain with
brass turn-off barrel and lock with only a little engraved decoration and trigger guard. Slabsided walnut butt with sliding safety lock.
36
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
rear, breech section was firmly fitted into
the stock whilst the main section, usually
only a few inches long, was screwed onto
the breech section. These barrels are
usually of a type described as cannon
barrel for they have raised ribs at the
muzzle and spaced along its length. Since
the circumstances requiring the use of the
weapon were likely to be at close quarters
the range of a pocket pistol need only be
quite short, consequently very few pocket
pistol barrels were rifled. Sometimes the
muzzle gives the appearance of being
rifled, with what look like grooves, but
they are notches cut into the muzzle to
engage with a tapered block-key which
is pushed in to help with the screwing-in
of the barrel. Another system to assist
the uniting of the two sections of barrel
was to have a small lug near the base of
the cannon section which engaged with a
notch cut into an O shaped key which was
slipped over the barrel. The vast majority
of pocket pistols are of fairly small calibre.
A virtue of the two-section barrel is that
it makes the pistol into a simple breechloader. Unscrewing the barrel allows direct
access to the breech so that the powder
charge can be poured in and, as the face
of the breech is concave, it accommodates
the lead ball neatly in place. When the
cannon section is screwed back in place
the pistol is firmly and safely loaded but
A pair of 54 bore (just under.5in.) box-lock flintlock pocket pistols by a London maker recorded in Aldgate and dating from around 1770.
The locks are signed Archer London and have some simple engraving as do the barrels. The slab-sided butts have top sliding safety catches
of the early style which only locks the cock and is without the frizzen locking spike; they also have plain escutcheons.
still needed to be primed and cocked.
Later in the century the cannon barrel is
increasingly replaced by a plain, cylindrical
style, often of brass, which was simpler
and cheaper to manufacture.
The lock protruding from the stock meant
there were sharp projections which might
snag on the inside of the pocket making it
awkward to draw the weapon. Gunsmiths
sought ways to reduce this problem and
streamline the shape and the solution was
to mount the lock mechanism, as a unit,
centrally and set it in the stock creating
the so-called box lock pistol. Although it
was now possible to carry a concealed
pistol unseen about the person when
the need arose to use it in an emergency
it still had to be cocked before it could
be fired. To speed up the process and
reduce the delay many pistols were fitted
with safety catches which allowed them
to be carried safely in the half-cocked
position. These first appeared around the
middle of the 18th century but by the
1780s were a standard fitting to all but the
cheapest pistols. One of the first systems
incorporated a sliding trigger-guard which
operated an internal safety locking device.
A more secure system was the topmounted sliding catch which consists of
a split bar, mounted around the central
cock. When the action was set to the halfcock position the bar was pushed forward
until it engaged with a notch cut into
the back of the cock, locking it in a safe
position. A small spike projected from the
front of the sliding bar and when the catch
was pushed forward this spike engaged
with a hole set in the base of the closed
frizzen thus securing both cock and frizzen
ensuring that the priming powder would
be confined in the pan. An alternative
system was the ‘drop-down’ trigger; when
the lock was in the un-cocked position
the trigger was seated snugly in the stock
under the box lock. As the cock was
pulled back to the full cock position the
trigger was released and dropped down
ready to be pressed and fire the weapon.
As the 18th century progressed the butt
retained the rounded, slightly bulbous
form found on earlier models and better
quality examples are frequently decorated
with a butt cap and are inset with silver
wire patterns. This was achieved by making
a shallow, slightly under-cut channel in the
stock, the wire was pressed in and gently
hammered to expand it so that it was
firmly seated in the groove and held in
situ. Some models will have on the butt, in
addition to the wire and cap, a small silver
escutcheon on which the owner might
have his initials or arms engraved. Henry
Mayhew6 writing in the mid 19th century
tells of a trade in pocket pistols engraved
with coats-of -arms being sold to gullible
purchasers as rare examples; needless to
say the arms were later additions. The
applied silver masks are frequently hallmarked with an assay letter which supplies
a good dating feature. From the 1780s
onwards, probably to simplify construction
and reduce costs, the rounded butt was
increasingly supplanted by a slab-sided,
flat butt, usually smooth but sometimes
finely chequered.
The box lock pistol was produced in
quantity during the 18th and early 19th
centuries with the quality ranging from
inexpensive and plain to elaborately
decorated versions. Butt chequering and
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
37
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
silver wire inlay were commonly used but
as a general rule the British models were
plainer than those from the Continent
although there is often some engraving
on the lock which may well include the
maker’s name. Brass barrels were common
and there was a market for pairs of pocket
pistols since in a dangerous situation a
single shot might not be sufficient and
there are reports of highway robberies in
which more than one shot was fired. For
the more style- conscious man there was
the attraction of a cased pair of pistols
complete with various accessories but
these are rare.
As an alternative to having two weapons
some double-barrelled pistols were made.
The most commonly produced ones
are known as over-and-under barrels
and consisted of a block of two barrels
mounted one above the other. The block
could be rotated so that each barrel with
its frizzen, which had to be charged and
closed, could be brought in line with
the cock. After firing the top barrel a
small catch was released to permit the
lower barrel to be turned into position,
the action cocked and then fired. The
construction of these pistols was obviously
more complex than for a single barrel and
they were consequently more expensive
and therefore less common. Another,
possibly more expensive and elaborate
system, is known as the tap-action. The
over and under barrels were loaded in a
conventional manner and a solid, circular
disc set inside the lock was rotated to
expose a recess leading down to the
breech of the lower barrel and the priming
powder was poured into what was, in
effect, the pan of the bottom barrel.
The block was then rotated so that the
lower priming was now enclosed within
the block, the face of which now formed
the floor of the pan for the upper barrel.
This was then primed, the frizzen closed
and, when ready, the trigger was pressed,
sparks were struck and fell into the upper
priming firing the top barrel. If the block
were turned back the lower priming was
now exposed and in position ready to fire
the lower barrel but of course the action
had to be re-cocked.
A third and less common system was
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
to mount two barrels side by side with
a common pan, half of which could be
blanked off by a sliding plate. The design
and manufacture was not simple as it
required two cocks, two mechanisms and
two triggers and examples of these pistols
are rare. A few examples of multi-barrelled
pistols with three or four barrels were
made but their size and complexity limited
demand.
The box lock pocket pistol changed but
little in style until the percussion cap
appeared in the 1820s when it was seen
as an easy way to simplify the action. The
cock was replaced by a hollow-nosed
hammer and the frizzen removed. The pan
was adapted to take a nipple over which
the percussion cap was placed and the
action was ready but the mechanical action
required no change. The new system
meant that construction was simpler and
consequently costs were reduced and the
selling price could be lowered and, for
the same money, more weapons could be
manufactured. Some pocket pistols were
‘upgraded’ by being fitted with a barrelmounted, spring-bayonet but its value in
Simple but well made double-barrel, turnover, percussion pocket pistol made by good Birmingham maker Westley Richards about 1830.
The finely chequered butt has a sliding safety catch and there is also a drop-down trigger
an emergency must be questioned but it
was probably a good selling point to the
nervous traveller.
Liége, the central arms manufacturing
town of Belgium, soon became one of
the prime suppliers of pocket pistol, flint
and percussion. Many of them were fairly
basic, almost crude on occasions, and they
may well be engraved with various makers’
names and towns other than the true
source. Liége also produced a number
of unusual pocket pistols with all-metal
stocks and one group is commonly signed
Segallas.
A pair of London made percussion pocket pistols dating from about 1830 and signed S.Nock; Samuel Nock a nephew of the better known
Henry Nock is recorded from 1791-1851. The turn-off barrels of 50 bore (approx .45in.) are 1 5/8th inches long and have the usual lugs to
engage with a circular barrel wrench. The locks have some engraved decoration and the walnut butts are finely chequered with butt caps.
In addition to drop-down trigger they have sliding safety catches which engage with, and lock the cocks.
38
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
The percussion cap also simplified the
mechanism of multi-barrel pistols and
examples are not uncommon. The
percussion cap also led to the development
of a number of new style pocket pistols
such as the knife-pistol which was in effect
a slightly larger than usual penknife with
a folding blade but with a simple barrel,
nipple and hammer mounted on the
back. One of the most famous percussion
pocket pistols was the Deringer, a single
shot weapon of characteristic form with a
rifled barrel of larger bore and produced
in varying lengths. It was popular from the
1830s onwards and took its name from its
designer Henry Deringer of Philadelphia.
It was copied by many makers and the
name is often spelt Derringer. It became
notorious when John Wilkes Booth used
one to assassinate Abraham Lincoln in1865.
Flint and percussion pocket pistols are
still very collectible and, unlike most
antiques, have not yet seen big price
increases. Interesting and attractive
specimens can still be purchased for a
few hundred pounds. There are, however,
A tap-action, box lock pocket pistol by another provincial maker Welch of Banbury
made about 1820. The turn-off barrels are plain but the breech is engraved whilst the bag
shaped butt is also plain.
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
39
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
A high quality over-and-under percussion pocket pistol by one of London’s top makers Joseph Egg, numbered 2657 and dating from about
1825. The blued barrels are set into the stock, decorated and signed in gold. They are fitted with sights and there are external mainsprings.
The walnut butt is partly chequered with a spurred and embellished butt cap and gold escutcheon. The action is activated by a single trigger
and the whole pistol represents the work of a superior craftsman.
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
Top. Similar to 380 this example has slightly more decoration
Bottom. Made in Liege Belgium this travelling pistol is an example of the experimental models made possible by the percussion system. It has
a longer than usual barrel with the percussion cap applied directly to the breech end. It makes some claim to quality with a spurred trigger
guard and attached ramrod.
two exceptions; they are examples by top
quality makers with applied decoration and
in what might be called ‘official’ pocket
pistols, especially those issued to law
enforcement personnel. In London from
the 1790s to the 1830s there were seven
Public Offices which employed patrols and
constables who were armed with pistols,
swords and truncheons. The total number
of officers was small and consequently
such pistols are rare and much sought
after, realising very good prices when they
appear on the market. The name of the
office or patrol is usually engraved on the
barrel or trigger guard; even less common
are examples named to prisons or Houses
of Correction.7 .The best known Public
Office was Bow Street and any pieces of
equipment bearing this name are keenly
collected and fetch very good prices.
More or less mass produced somewhere on the Continent, possibly Belgium, in the mid 19th century this percussion pistol would have
been sold cheaply. The octagonal barrel has a simple, spring –loaded bayonet secured in place by a crude trigger guard. The bag -shaped
butt is of walnut and there is some engraved decoration on the lock.
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THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
By the mid 19th century, as newly
developed weapons became available, the
old pocket pistol was being relegated to the
past. From the 1840s pepperbox revolvers
were popular but the heavy, multi-barrel
blocks were rather bulky and just a little
too awkward to carry in a pocket. Some
versions with short barrels were produced
and were often fitted with a folding trigger.
Most pepper box revolvers were six shot
but some smaller four-barrel versions were
made and these would obviously be more
suitable for pockets. There was an increase
in the manufacture of personal holsters
usually of leather.
The pepperbox gradually evolved into the
percussion revolver and a whole range of
small revolvers was available to the public
some of which were designed to be pocket
sized. Despite the increased firepower,
(most were six shot), they were just a
little too bulky for popular taste although
in the 1860s it became almost fashionable
to carry a revolver with French tailors
more or less automatically incorporating a
revolver pocket in a new suit8.
For years designers had been working
on the idea of a metal cased cartridge to
replace the old paper and cardboard type
and the next step was the development of
the pinfire cartridge in the 1840s and 50s.
The percussion cap was set inside the case
which now held the charge and bullet and
was struck by a small rod which projected
outside the case. The hammer hit the rod
which fired the round and made possible
pinfire revolvers some of which were small
enough to be carried about the person.
They were not the safest weapon as the
projecting pin made the weapon liable to
accidental detonation. The next big break
came from the USA and the partnership
of Smith and Wesson as in 1857 they
patented a breech loading revolver using
a rimfire cartridge. In this new system the
detonating compound was located in the
rim of the case. The new cartridge made
the breech loading pistol practical and soon
Smith and Wesson were manufacturing
revolvers of .22 calibre which could easily
be accommodated in an inside pocket.
Technical problems made it difficult to
produce rimfire cartridges for larger calibre
weapons.
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
41
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
This pepperbox revolver is a four barrel version and the lower weight might have made it more acceptable as a pocket weapon. The
nipples are shielded from accidental discharge by an overhanging rim and it has a drop-down trigger and sliding safety catch. The butt is
chequered and has an engraved steel cap. The action is signed W.Jackson a London maker and it dates from the mid 19th century.
The development of metallic cased
cartridges led to the development of
Derringer type pistols, single or doublebarrelled, designed to be carried in any
small pocket. Remington and Colt both
made them in quantity. These are still
collectable but care is needed since
those made for certain calibres are
considered obsolete and are excluded
from the restrictions of firearms legislation
and may be legally collected. However
others taking different calibres require a
firearm certificate and it is essential to
check this before acquiring one, The local
firearms officer or established shooting
organisations should be able to advise9.
Many pocket pistols can still be found
on the market and they offer a chance
to build up an interesting collection at
what, in today’s market, are considered
reasonable prices.
4 See Pollard’s History of Firearms ed C. Blair Feltham
1993 for a brief discussion of the origin.
5 See Entrusted with arms by F.Wilkinson London
2002 for details of legislation on carrying of weapons.
6 Henry Mayhew set out to record details of the lower
, criminal and under privileged classes of London; see
London Labour and London Poor Vol 2 of 4 vols
London 1862
The author and organisers of the London Arms Fair
would like to express their very sincere thanks to Thomas
Del Mar for supplying and giving them permission to use
the illustrations (the copyright remain his)7 A famous band of officers of the late 18th and early
19th centuries was the Bow Street Runners and there
(Endnotes)
were also a number of Bow Street Patrols. Pistols
1Francis, Duke of Guise was wounded by a Huguenot
marked BOW STREET are almost certainly patrol
assassin in February 1563 and died soon afterwards.
weapons rather than having belonged to a Runner; see
Those Entrusted with Arms op.cit.
2 British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was murdered
in 1812 in the lobby of the Houses of Parliament
8 See Those Entrusted with Arms (op cit) for discussion
on the popularity of revolvers in Victorian Britain.
3 Queen Victoria survived several attempts see
Shooting Victoria by Paul Murphy London 2013
9 Organisations such as the Vintage Arms, HBSA or the
Home Office can all be found on the web.
One of the most notorious or famous pocket pistols-a percussion Deringer made around 1860. This weapon achieved maximum publicity
when one was used by John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Designed by Henry Deringer of Philadelphia it was
copied by many makers and examples are often spelt Derringer. The tapered barrel, calibre.41, is fitted with sights and the mounts are of
silver and there is some gold decoration. The partly chequered butt is fitted with a steel mounted trap to hold a spare ball or two.
42
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
A .31 calibre Colt revolver number 269651 made in New York in 1864. It is a good example of the 1849 Pocket model, so called to
differentiate it from the larger calibre belt models but in fact just a little large to fit any but the bigger pockets.
Although this pair of all-steel pocket pistols are signed Segallas London they were made in Liege early in the 19th.century. They have turnoff barrels and the locks and trigger guards have some engraved decoration.
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
43
P I S TO L S F O R P O C K E T S
Typical six barrel, pepperbox pistol has a ring-trigger, signed Mariette Brevete, was made in Liege around 1845. It is a little unusual in having
an ivory butt. The substantial barrel block made such pistols a little too heavy to be carried comfortably in a pocket.
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The development of the rimfire cartridge ensured the continued production of Deringer type pistols and numerous models were issued
by firms such as Remington and Colt. This is a .41 rimfire Model No.3 sold by Colt around 1875-85. The 2 ½ inch barrel pivots sideways
for loading the cartridge and the pistol has a sleeved trigger designed to reduce the chances of accidental discharge. As the ammunition is
considered obsolete such pistols are exempt from the firearm legislation.
44
THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE
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EDRED GWILLIAM
E D I TO R I A L
Tricorn Fairs presents:
The
ANTIQUE ARMS & ARMOUR
HERTSMERE
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The Holiday Inn London-Elstree WD6 5PU
FOR SALE:
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THE LONDON ANTIQUE ARMS FAIR GUIDE